We are living in a turning point of history when we have been blessed with the opportunity, notwithstanding certain uncertainties, to bring positive changes in our country.
We can now dream of a better Bangladesh because we are an independent nation and our people, our youth and our political activists have created a new atmosphere to rebuild the state inclusive of democratic institutions and establish a caring society in the coming days.
In 1971, our people fought to gain independence of the motherland and in 1990 the student-mass upsurge brought down the autocratic regime of HM Ershad, resulting in restoration of democracy through the 1991 general elections.
The youth-mass uprising in July-August 2024 put an end to one and half decades’ fascist rule of Sheikh Hasina, paving the way for reforms and institutionalization of democracy and a free and fair national elections scheduled to be held in February 2026.
We believe the people of the current generation in Bangladesh deserve a better life, a just economic order, a fair justice delivery system, and a peaceful and vibrant society and functional democracy. It is our time to really be free from the curses and misrule of the past and make Bangladesh a country “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Bangladeshis, especially the youth, have enormous potential to pursue their dreams. They deservehappiness, good friends, a healthy environment and clean cities, towns, and villages to live in and have an elected government dedicated to wholeheartedly serving the people.
It is great leaders who create the atmosphere for the people and lead them to choose the right course of action. President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence and founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was a leader who had shown the nation the path of multi-party democracy, of civic nationalism, and of economic emancipation. Former PM and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia led the movement for restoration of democracy and re-introduced a parliamentary system of government and also the concept of inclusive national development.
Today’s pledge is to take Bangladesh to the next level by forming a representative government, ensuring good governance, transcending the past attainments and fulfilling the aspirations of the new generations.
In the current context, it is important to review some old policies and the development approach. Since the 1970s, Bangladesh has attained significant progress in food production, garment exports, remittances earning, and social development. However, there remain challenges, somenew and some recurring.
We know the July-August 2024 uprising began with protests against discrimination in public service recruitment and the youth, joined by the masses and political supporters, fought against all kinds of discrimination in governance and distribution of public resources.
Our people have been deprived of quality education and healthcare services. Moving forward, there is the need to at least provide basic services and also build quality and skilled human resources.
The BNP, and also other parties, are currently working on their election manifestos to offer the people solutions to issues and create scope for the youth to grow and utilize their capacity and power. Today, all parties should believe that the responsibility of a government is to make arrangements for the flourishing talent and potential of the citizens.
We are also living in a new world, an inter-dependent world where Bangladesh needs to maximize its interests while maintaining cooperation with various countries and international organizations. Both Zia and Khaleda had pursued foreign policy that was prudent and had best suited the national interests. This is what must continue to happen, whether that approach is from Tarique Rahman or any other leader - we need the necessary adjustments in the country’s external relations to address our new challenges and realities.
Given our history of proving people’s democratic aspiration and pluralistic political views, it is the ballot which must be considered as the acceptable means of electing leaders who listen to the voice of the people.
It is our conviction that there should be adequate space to practice democracy, even after elections, through debates in socio-political life and in the mass media. That must be our oath today if we want to continue our march forward as a nation.
Jobair Babu is a filmmaker, broadcaster, and columnist.